Midterm budget: Will Gordhan find a rabbit in his hat?

25 OCT 2012 06:21 - NICKOLAUS BAUER Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan may be facing his toughest balancing act to date as he presents his medium-term budget policy statement in Parliament. OUR COVERAGE Experts: Zuma's land reform plans need ploughing Zuma's pay-freeze plan draws cold response Public sector: Wage hikes put growth in jeopardy SA's elite will not be making the sacrifices South Africa finds itself in perilous territory as economic activity is battling to recover from two successive credit rating downgrades following bloody industrial action in the mining sector. At the moment, investors are wary of increasing their financial concerns in South Africa and the rand has borne the brunt of this unease, recently falling to a three and a half-year low against the US dollar. South Africa is also experiencing the effects of a massive deficit, up to R69.9-billion in 2012 so far from R8.7-billion in 2011, and initial indications of effects from the recent strike action equate to an additional R2.5-billion burden on taxpayers from lost government revenue. Along with this, the country is faced with its second highest budget deficit since 1994 – a massive a 5.2% for the 2012/13 financial year – while overall government debt is fast approaching 40%. To further add to the economic woes, Europe – South Africa's second biggest trading partner – remains caught in the grips of a recession, dictating a depressed demand for South African goods. Jobs are also being shed, while employment opportunities are disappearing as growth forecasts, even those of government, are declining. "The situation is deteriorating fast," investment analyst at Absa Investments Chris Gilmour told the Mail & Guardian on Wednesday. "Our minister is caught between an awful lot of negative news and realities locally, along with global factors that are not promising." 'Tense nerves' Gilmour said the onus will be on Gordhan to "settle some tense nerves". "It will be down to him to provide assurance and direction but to be honest, I am not sure how," he added. Above anything though, Gordhan would need to provide details on how the fiscus plans to address the policy modifications President Jacob Zuma unveiled in recent weeks. After over 10 weeks of labour unrest in the country, Zuma tried to restore confidence in South Africa's economy by unveiling a wide-ranging plan devised by government, business and organised labour. Key to the president's proposals was production in the minerals sector being normalised as a matter of urgency. This would work in tandem with speeding up infrastructure development to accelerate overall economic growth, providing assistance to workers and companies affected by the current global economic slowdown, and the increase job creation through the public sector works programme. But in spite of an initial positive reaction to the plans, economic sentiment remained largely negative within the South African economy. Details Thus, potential investors would be looking to Gordhan to flesh out those ideas in monetary terms in his medium-term budget policy statement. In short, South Africa desperately needs some indication that government is taking concrete steps to address the current financial crisis the country finds itself in. "South Africa is in the eye of an economic storm," said Tim Harris, Democratic Alliance spokesperson for finance. "We have ended up here because the current national government, from the president down, has failed to speak with one voice on the economy and has been unable to steer us on a path of higher growth, despite our country's abundant assets." Harris said it was up to Gordhan to send a strong signal that debt levels will not be sent spiralling out of control in order to finance plans by government to rescue the economy. "Most importantly, he must show investors that he is firmly in charge of economic policy and that the government is able to implement a clear plan to ensure that South Africa is a place where they can do business," he added. Good luck, Gordhan Harris's concerns were echoed by Neren Rau, chief executive of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We expect the minister to provide details on how government plans to fund the R4-trillion expenditure, along with the possible principles that will guide the private sector's involvement in infrastructure development," he said. The true test for Gordhan will be to think of a strategy to continue funding government expenditure – both social and economic. Merely raising the taxes of an already strained and narrow tax base would not be an immediate panacea, so it would be up to the minister to think of innovative ways to increase revenue. "Gordhan will have to pull out all the stops – a true rabbit out of the hat to rescue this situation. I wish him luck, because it sure as hell won't be easy," Gilmour said. The minister will deliver his medium-term budget policy statement in Parliament at 2pm. Mail & Guardian - - - - - COMMENTS BY SONNY If not a Rabbit - Then a nest of RABBITS!! THE INNER CIRCLE OF LUXURY!! The writing is on the wall - The ANC has overspent their budget on Ego's and Luxury!! Nothing on the Poor,Health, Learners, Students & Needy. Infra structure money comes from your pension funds. Your taxes go to personal refurbishing of homesteads and corrupt dealing and underhanded tender deals. South Africa will only survive once the ANC is defeated! THE GRAVY TRAIN WILL SOON COME TO AN ABRUPT HALT IN A SIDING.... IN NO MAN'S LAND!

IPID to probe deadly prison truck bomb blast

23 OCT 2012 16:08 - ANDILE NAYIKA The Independent Police Investigative Directorate will lead the investigation into the bomb blast which killed three prisoners on Monday. OUR COVERAGE Report shows sorry state of South Africa's prisons Thirty-six awaiting trial prisoners were being transported from Randburg Magistrate's Court to the Johannesburg Correctional Services Facility in Naturena, south of Johannesburg, when a bomb exploded at the back of the police truck. Fifteen prisoners were injured. A case of murder, possession of explosives and escape from lawful custody is being investigated. According to the police, the driver heard a loud bang when he reached the corner of Naturena and the old Soweto Highway. He immediately noticed a hole in the rear door of the truck. Two prisoners were trying to flee. They were captured before the truck drove to the correctional service facility for safety reasons, said the police. "All evidence at the scene has been collected and was sent to a forensic lab for analysis. Investigators are busy tracing and locating the next of kin of the deceased," said police spokesperson Brigadier Neville Malila. Because the prisoners died while in police custody, the investigations will be led by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) with the help of the police. "We have assigned a team of investigators to assist the IPID," Malila told the Mail & Guardian. Malila said the investigation is in its early stages and statements are being taken from the prisoners. 'Negligence' In reaction to Monday's blast the South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) said it holds the police, the justice department and the department of correctional services "accountable for their negligence". SAPOHR president Golden Miles Bhudu said he believes the explosives were smuggled in at one of the three institutions. "How can a bomb be smuggled from the court and taken to the holding cells and then into a police vehicle? But we are not surprised, you can smuggle anything in our courts and prison cells, there is no security. The department of correctional services, the police and the justice system should apologise to the bereaved families … They should also be compensated because of states negligence," said Bhudu. "The judiciary should be sued and dragged screaming to the court to for what has happened," Bhudu told the Mail & Guardian. SAPOHR plans to approach the Wits Law Clinic, the Lawyers for Human Rights and the Legal Resources Centre to advise those affected about their legal rights in the case. MAIL & GUARDIAN COMMENTS BY SONNY This is Urban Terrorism! Or is it some kind of third force trying to divert attention from the dying ANC government. Let's not jump the gun and wait for results. Was Commercial or Military explosives used? Was any of the awaiting trial prisoners linked to any ATM bombings?

Wapenlisensies: Sake glo beter

2012-10-19 22:41 Artikelopsies Deel Kry Volksblad op Tobie Bird, ’n wapenversamelaar van Ladybrand, kol. Daniel Dolo, van die sentrale wapenregister in Pretoria, en Francois Jacobs, prokureur op Ladybrand, op die vergadering oor vuurwapenlisensies op Ladybrand. Foto's · Lesersfoto’s · Volksblad in Foto's Stuur vir ons jou foto's · Stuur vir ons jou foto's Maryke Swart LADYBRAND. – Ná die groot probleme en gesloer met vuurwapenlisensies, lyk sake nou beter. Op ’n vergadering vandeesweek hier waar kol. Daniel Dolo van die sentrale vuurwapenregister inwoners toegespreek het, was hier min klagtes en baie lof, veral vir Dolo wat vir lisensie-aansoeke in die Vrystaat en Oos-Kaap verantwoordelik is. Ook Danie Venter, uitvoerende hoof van die Suid-Afrikaanse Jag- en wildbewaringsvereniging (Sajwv), het by navraag gesê die goedkeuring van vuurwapenlisensies is nou vinniger. Hy sê dit is sedert personeel van die sentrale vuurwapenregister nouer saamwerk met aansoekers wat probleme het. Oplossings word vinniger gekry. Die administrasie is beter, het hy gesê. Dolo het gesê sedert Januarie is sowat 5000 aansoeke in die Vrystaat afgehandel. “Ons probeer aansoeke so vinnig moontlik afhandel. “Solank daar goeie kommunikasie is, sal die diens aanhou verbeter en kan navrae vinniger hanteer en afgehandel word. “Mense moet hul klagtes indien. Hulle moet nie stilbly oor die probleme nie. Ons wil die beste diens lewer.” Francois Jacobs, ’n prokureur op Ladybrand, het gesê hoewel daar steeds probleme is met aansoeke wat wegraak of redes wat nie vir die afkeuring van lisensies verskaf word nie, is daar beslis nog mense in die polisie wat die ekstra myl stap om die proses te vergemaklik. Dolo is een van hulle. Die inwoners op die vergadering – die meeste van hulle wapenversamelaars – het geen klagtes gehad nie en was vol lof vir Dolo en sy span. Tobie Bird, ’n versamelaar, het gesê: “In die verlede het aansoeke tot twee jaar gevat, nou vat dit hoogstens twee maande. Hy (Dolo) stap die ekstra myl met jou. Sy houding is reg en hy is bereid om te help.” Dolo het gesê hy moet erken daar is steeds gevalle waar aansoeke wegraak en die proses vertraag word omdat ’n afskrif van die aansoek dan weer ingedien moet word. Nog redes vir vertragings is aansoekvorms wat verkeerd ingevul word, die reeksnommers van wapens wat in aansoeke ontbreek en skelm handelaars wat dieselfde wapen aan verskillende mense verkoop in die hoop dat daar sal fout gaan met die kopers se lisensie-aansoeke. Hy het gesê kopers moet druk op handelaars vir ’n 350-vorm waarop bevestig word dat die wapen aan hulle verkoop is. Dolo het die afgelope week ook inwoners van Phuthaditjhaba, Bloemfontein en Welkom toegespreek. Volksblad Kommentaar deur Sonny - - - - - Dankie Kolonel Dolo vir die puik diens wat jy lewer.

Gauteng - No place for a true cop

In the most recent incident of attacks on police officers, Constable Primrose Nikani and Constable Mandisi Nduku from the Houtbay SAPS, were shot while patrolling the Imizamo-Yethu informal settlement. Nikani died on the scene and Constable Nduku, who was critically wounded, died in hospital at a later stage. During the annual SAPS Report presentation in Parliament yesterday, it was revealed that 81 officers were killed in the line of duty this past year. This number is a drop of 12,9% from last year’s 93. Gauteng has the highest number of cop killing incidents, with over 25% of killings attributed to the province. Of the 81 victims, 38 were killed on-duty and 43 were gunned down whilst off-duty. Other provinces affected by the cop killing trend include the Eastern Cape with 18% of the killings, and KZN following in its wake with 17%. The Western Cape only attributed 3.7% to the overall killings; however Western Cape Police Chief Arno Lamoer has told Eyewitness News that there have been over 150 attacks on cops in the province this past year. The high number of killings of Gauteng cops brings the total number of cop killings to 201, as surveyed since 2005. Infographic: SAPS Members Murdered 2005-2012. Source: SAPS According to an independent research report done by the School of Criminal Justice at the University of South Africa, reasons for these killings can be attributed to: 1. Cops being easily identifiable and known to be in possession of firearms 2. Lack of respect for the law 3. The law no being a deterrent due to prior crimes not resulting in their convictions 4. Corruption within the police force 5. Inadequate or incorrect training 6. Theft of the members’ firearms 7. Use of Force regulation a hindrance to cops in danger 8. Poor work ethic (for example, too aggressive or inadequate response times) 9. Ancillary motives 10. Opportunistic attacks The modus operandi for the murders has been identified to include: Graph: A situational analysis of the modus operandi of attackers. Source: School of Criminal Justice at UNISA Whilst the overall numbers of cop killings have decreased, the numbers for Gauteng has remained discernibly higher than the rest of the country. Make your voice heard on how we can address this situation by following the #CopKillings hashtag on Twitter. EYE WITNESS NEWS - - - - COMMENTS BY SONNY South Africa under the ANC is no place for a true and dedicated Policemen/Woman. Anyone with the bird brain and a zero IQ will know that. The SAPS is a pawn in the hands of power hungry ANC politicians & thugs. South Africa is run by a systematic syndicated crowd of Mafia. The "BROEDERBOND AND THE MK HAVE JOINED FORCES TO CRIPPLE SOUTH AFRICA!"

Joburg Connect won’t connect with us

October 19 2012 at 09:00am Comment on this story George T’ Joens of Glen Austen ext 3 writes: My problem starts in mid-April with the first mail to report a serious water leak, after failing to make contact via the call centre. Follow-up with the Joburg Connect centre was made at least once a week. Once through on the line, and having chosen the option “water”, we get transferred to Joburg Water. At Joburg Water, without fail, we get the recording that tells us: “We are experiencing a vast number of calls, be patient etc” and there we hold for the next 15 to 30 minutes. We never manage to get through to any of the call centre people. Two weeks ago, after holding on for about 20 minutes, we dialled 011 688 1400 – a number listed in the telephone directory. Luck was with us, as after some time, the reception lady answered and transferred us to someone called Solomon. Friendly, helpful and with apologies, we got a reference number. The next day the team came out and decided that they needed a digger to get to the municipal feed-in pipe. That Friday, another team came out, looked around at the leak for about 15 minutes and left. Since then nothing. The water continues streaming out of the pipe. Can you please wave the magic wand and get this sorted for us? T’ Joens writes again: Thank you MetroWatch. Barely 48 hours after our mail to you, Joburg Water came out, replaced the feed-in pipe and voilà! – issue resolved. However, we will have to dig down ourselves, to verify if they also replaced the shut-off valve, so the water can be turned off in case of an emergency. We could not establish this as the hole has been filled up, and we did not have the opportunity to talk to the repair crew. Little price to pay for waiting six months. Three questions remain: Why do we have to resort to your services, to have our issues resolved? Why the continued expense incurred for an apparent defunct service provision? Is there really no integrity, professionalism and pride left in Joburg Water? IOL News - - - - - - COMMENTS BY SONNY WORLD CLASS AFRICAN CITY! THE ANC IS DYSFUNCTIONAL FROM THE TOP DOWN. Johannesburg is the dirtiest City on the African Continent! Hillbrow and Sunnyside is a GHETTO! CORRUPTION, THEFT, FRAUD, DYSFUNCTIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY! WHO DO WE HAVE TO THANK? Capitec Bank? MR FIX IT, ZUMA AND THE ANC AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILIES & CRONIES? Hey, even when the lights go out, the Sun shines again the next day! Malema, we did not arrive here without any land! WE WERE BORN HERE!!!!! One day Zuma will be called upon to take up his offer! Anonymous writes - I CAUGHT "CABLE THIEVES" CUTTING OUR ELECTRICITY WIRES AT 01:13 YESTERDAY (FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER 2012) MORNING - 75% OF THE LIGHTS IN OUR STREET INCLUDING STREET LIGHTS WERE DOWN - THE THIEVES (3 PLUS) GOT AWAY EMPTY HANDED. CITY POWER RESTORED ELECTRICITY TO THE AREAS WITHIN 12 HOURS.... CONGRATULATIONS CITY POWER!! THE SAPS & SECURITY GUARDS AT RAU CALL HIGH SCHOOL SAW AND HEARD NOTHING!! Marius Haasbroek posted to City Power Johannesburg September 29 City power is pathetic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Power off since this morning 1:00, it is now 12:00 and still not back on in Weltevredenpark! gangster paradise - where cops and security guards sleep to avoid contact with CRIME!! CRIME IS THE ATTRACTION TO POLITICS!

Anglogold miners throw stones at Vavi

19 OCT 2012 16:12 - KWANELE SOSIBO NUM officials and Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi were pelted with stones by some protesters at AngloGold Ashanti's mine near Orkney. OUR COVERAGE Hard-core strikers not caving in Zuma's economic plan dismissed for lack of detail Lack of political leadership leaves SA at mining turmoil's mercy Alienation, paucity and despair make for toxic catalysts "These hooligans threw stones at us," National Union of Mineworkers regional coordinator Madoda Sambatha said. Sambatha said earlier on Friday their entourage had travelled to two other mines. At Kopanong workers told them they were going back to work on Monday and at the other, Vaal reefs number eight, they said they would not. Both meetings were peaceful. "We [then] went to Vaal reefs Moab Khotsong and were told that before we arrived, this woman from the Socialist Democratic Movement had already addressed those workers, and said they must not listen to the general secretary of Cosatu." However, they went ahead and spoke to them. They left their cars and walked in on foot. As they approached they saw two groups – a NUM group waiting for Vavi, and a second group "who are the permanent disrupters", said Sambatha. "We were on foot. As we were advancing, these hooligans threw stones at us. We retreated." They drove back to the union's regional offices. "We are okay. The car was not damaged," he said. Detained and interrogated Earlier, the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), a Trotskyist organisation that helped form the joint strike coordinating committee across many of the mines beset by strikes say they were detained and interrogated after addressing a crowd of over 1 500 striking workers. Liv Shange, an executive member of the organisation, said the group had been invited by the mine's strike committee and began addressing workers by midday. Following the address, they met with committee members at one of the mine's hostels. As they left, Shange said four members of the organisation who were travelling together in a car were followed by mine security vehicles, about five police vans and what appeared to be a security helicopter belonging to the mine. After being stopped, she said they were taken to mine offices where they were interrogated by a team led by a policeman who identified himself as Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius. "We were stopped aggressively and taken to mine security offices at about 2.30pm and interrogated one by one by a group of 10 men," said Shange. "He said we could only meet with workers if we were a recognised union. I told him we were not a union and had the right to assemble and associate with the workers." Shange, a Swedish expatriate, said she was also threatened with deportation and asked questions about her family and children. The DSM, which is part of the UK-based committee for Workers' International, has chapters in over 40 countries. It has been upfront about its role in the ongoing mine strikes which have affected the platinum, gold and diamond sectors. It is also affiliated to the Democratic Left Front, a coalition of leftist organisations. Police have cracked down on the campaign waged in unison with the joint strike coordinating committee by arresting hundreds of striking workers. The mines have responded by issuing ultimatums to striking workers. Strikes continue however, with workers in many cases disregarding the ultimatums. George Ntsane, a strike committee member at Anglogold Ashanti said six workers had been arrested for public violence at the mine and that the underground workers would not return to work until their demand of R16 000 salary had been met. – additional reporting by Sapa Mail & Guardian - - - COMMENTS BY SONNY Zwelinzima Vavi, THE DAYS OF WEARING TWO OR MORE CAPS IS LONG GONE..... If the miners don't trust you, Cosatu & NUN, then who will? Definitely not Zuma. You better get on the Gold Train and head for PARLIAMENT.